Process For Making Tablet Using Radiofrequency

ABSTRACT

In one aspect the present invention features a process for making a tablet comprising the step of applying radiofrequency energy to a powder blend comprising lossy coated particles and at least one pharmaceutically active agent to sinter said powder blend into a tablet, said lossy coated particles comprising a substrate having a Q value of greater than 100 that is at least partially coated with a lossy coating comprising Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pharmaceuticals intended for oral administration are typically provided in tablet form. Tablets can be swallowed whole, chewed in the mouth, or disintegrated in the oral cavity. Soft tablets that either are chewed or dissolve in the mouth are often employed in the administration of pharmaceuticals where it is impractical to provide a tablet for swallowing whole. With chewable tablets, the act of chewing helps to break up the tablet particles as the tablet disintegrates and may increase the rate of absorption by the digestive tract. Soft tablets are also advantageous where it is desirable to make a pharmaceutically active agent available topically in the mouth or throat for both local effects and/or systemic absorption. Soft tablets are also utilized to improve drug administration in pediatric and geriatric patients. Soft tablets designed to disintegrate in the mouth prior to swallowing are particularly useful for improving compliance of pediatric patients.

Generally, soft tablets are made by compaction of a blend of powdered ingredients and typically include a pharmaceutically active agent, flavoring, and/or binders. The powder blend is typically fed into the cavity of a die of a tablet press and a tablet is formed by applying pressure. Hardness of the resulting tablet is a direct function of the compaction pressure employed and the compatibility of the ingredients in the formulation. A softer tablet, having an easier bite-through, may be prepared by employing reduced compaction pressures. The resulting tablet is softer, but also more fragile, brittle, and easily chipped and disadvantageously can involve complex and costly processing steps. Examples of soft tablets designed to disintegrate in the mouth without chewing are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,464,632, 5,223,264, 5,178,878, 6,589,554, and 6,224,905.

There is a need for aesthetically pleasing chewable and orally disintegrating tablets that utilize commercially efficient manufacturing methods. Orally disintegrating tablets can be prepared by compression (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,223,264 and 5,178,878), but these tablets can have a high density and thus can take up to 20 to 30 seconds to fully disintegrate in the mouth. Lyophilized orally disintegrating tablets (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,509,040, 5,976,577, 5,738,875, and 5,631,023) tend to be less dense and, thus, faster disintegrating. However, these tablets require a long time to make a tablet, and the process of lyophilization of the tablet formulation directly in the unit dose blister package renders a dosage form that is shaped on only one face. The amount of drug loading in this lyophilization process is also limited.

The present invention relates to a new process for manufacturing tablets, such as orally disintegrating tablets (“ODTs”) utilizing lossy coated particles where the lossy coating comprises an activator that is used to sinter to particles to form the tablet. As this process concentrates the activator on the surface of the particle, the amount of activator added to the tablet can be reduced and the sintering of particles can be improved, resulting in tablet properties such as improved friability, better mouthfeel, faster disintegration, higher pharmaceutically active agent loading, and/or shorter manufacturing time as compared to tablets those made by other similar processes such US Patent Application Nos. 2009/0060983, 2011/0071184, and 2013/0295175 as set forth herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention features a process for making a tablet comprising the step of applying radiofrequency energy to a powder blend comprising lossy coated particles and at least one pharmaceutically active agent to sinter said powder blend into a tablet, said lossy coated particles comprising a substrate having a Q value of greater than 100 that is at least partially coated with a lossy coating comprising Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate.

In another aspect, the present invention features the sintered tablet comprising lossy coated particles and at least one pharmaceutically active agent, wherein said lossy coated particles comprise a substrate that is at least partially coated with a lossy coating comprising Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, wherein said substrate has a Q value of greater than 100.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description of the invention and claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is believed that one skilled in the art can, based upon the description herein, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The following specific embodiments can be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. For example, the term “Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate” is defined in accord with the official USP-NF monograph for such material, namely “Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate is a mixture that contains NLT 50% of hydrogenated polysaccharides containing more than 3 D-glucopyranosyl units terminated with a D-glucityl unit, calculated on the anhydrous basis. Other ingredients can include sorbitol, maltitol, and other sugar polyols.” (USP 38 NF 33). Examples of commercially available Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate include Stabilite® available from Ingredion Inc. Also, all publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference. As used herein, all percentages are by weight unless otherwise specified.

As discussed above, in one aspect, the present invention features:

Powder Blend

In one embodiment, the tablet is manufactured by applying radiofrequency energy to a powder blend containing at least one pharmaceutically active agent (as discussed herein), lossy coated particles (as discussed herein), and optionally other suitable excipients. In one embodiment, the at least one pharmaceutically active agent is contained within separate particles within the powder blend. In one embodiment, the at least one pharmaceutically active agent is contained within the lossy coated particles. In one embodiment, the at least one pharmaceutically active agent is contained within the lossy coated particles and within separate particles within the powder blend.

In one embodiment, the powder blend/tablet comprises at least 20%, by weight, of said lossy coated particles, such as at least 50%, by weight, such as at least 70%, by weight.

Examples of suitable excipients include, but are not limited to, fillers, water scavengers, glidants, sweeteners, flavor and aromatics, antioxidants, preservatives, texture enhancers, colorants, and mixtures thereof. One or more of the above ingredients may be present on the same particle of the powder blend.

Examples of fillers include but not limited to starches, sugar alcohols, bulk sweeteners, polyols, polymers and plasticizers.

In one embodiment, the powder blend/tablet comprises a water scavenger such as a starch and/or a silica. A benefit of the presence of a water scavenger in the powder blend is that it can act to retain water within the powder blend following the application of radiofrequency energy. Examples of starches include, but are not limited to, vegetable starches such as pea and corn starches and modified starches (such as pregelantized, acid modified, or dextrinized starches) or derivatized starches (such as cross linked, acetylated, and hydroxy alkyl starches). Examples of silicas include fumed silicas such as Syloid® FP silicas from Grace (Columbia, Md. USA), clays such as bentonite, veegum, and neusilin. In one embodiment, the powder blend/tablet comprises from about 0.1-10%, by weight, of said water scavenger, such as from about 0.1-2%, by weight.

Examples of glidants include, but are not limited to, colloidal silicon dioxide.

Examples of sweeteners for the present inventions include, but are not limited to high intensity sweeteners such as synthetic or natural sugars; artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, sodium saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame, thaumatin, glycyrrhizin, sucralose, dihydrochalcone, alitame, miraculin, monellin, and stevside.

Examples of flavors and aromatics include, but are not limited to, essential oils including distillations, solvent extractions, or cold expressions of chopped flowers, leaves, peel or pulped whole fruit containing mixtures of alcohols, esters, aldehydes and lactones; essences including either diluted solutions of essential oils, or mixtures of synthetic chemicals blended to match the natural flavor of the fruit (e.g., strawberry, raspberry and black currant); artificial and natural flavors of brews and liquors, e.g., cognac, whisky, rum, gin, sherry, port, and wine; tobacco, coffee, tea, cocoa, and mint; fruit juices including expelled juice from washed, scrubbed fruits such as lemon, orange, and lime; spear mint, pepper mint, wintergreen, cinnamon, cacoe/cocoa, vanilla, liquorice, menthol, eucalyptus, aniseeds nuts (e.g., peanuts, coconuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts, walnuts, cola nuts), almonds, raisins; and powder, flour, or vegetable material parts including tobacco plant parts, e.g., genus Nicotiana, in amounts not contributing significantly to the level of nicotine, and ginger.

Examples of antioxidants include, but are not limited to, tocopherols, ascorbic acid, sodium pyrosulfite, butylhydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, edetic acid, and edetate salts, and mixtures thereof.

Examples of preservatives include, but are not limited to, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, acetic acid, benzoic acid, and sorbic acid, and mixtures thereof.

Examples of texture enhancers include, but are not limited to, pectin, polyethylene oxide, and carrageenan, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, texture enhancers are used at levels of from about 0.1% to about 10% percent by weight.

In one embodiment of the invention, the powder blend has an average particle size of less than 500 microns, such as from about 50 microns to about 500 microns, such as from about 50 microns and 300 microns.

As used herein, what is meant by “substantially free” is less than 5%, such as less than 1%, such as less than 0.1%, such as completely free (e.g., 0%).

In one embodiment, the powder blend/tablet is substantially free of super disintegrants. Super disintegrants include croscarmellose sodium, sodium starch glycolate, and cross-linked povidone. A composition substantially free of super-disintegrants is advantageous for enhancing mouth-feel and tablet stability due to reduced water absorbance.

In one embodiment the powder blend is substantially free of lubricants such as magnesium stearate or stearic acid. Avoidance of tablet lubricants is advantageous since these materials are known to slow dissolution and have a negative impact on taste such as imparting a bitter aftertaste.

Lossy Coated Particles

The present invention features a powder blend/tablet comprising lossy coated particles comprising a substrate that is at least partially coated with a lossy coating comprising Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate. Such particles allow for controlled heating of the powder blend for the manufacture of the sintered tablet.

Methods of manufacturing such lossy coated particles include, but are not limited to, top spray coating, top spray granulation, wurster coating, rotor coating, high shear granulation, spray drying, spray congealing, hot melt extrusion, microencapsulation, spinning disk coating, and extrusion/spheronization. In one embodiment, the coating material is dissolved into solution and sprayed onto the substrate. In another embodiment, the coating is blended with the substrate and water is added to the blend, utilizing processes such as high shear granulation or spray drying. In one embodiment, the coating solution is aqueous optionally containing other solvents.

In one embodiment, the substrate (e.g., is the form of a particle) is comprised of materials selected from non-active ingredient materials such as but not limited to starches, sugars, sugar alcohols, dicalcium phosphate, and microcrystalline cellulose and mixtures thereof. Suitable sugars include but are not limited to sucrose, mannose, maltose, lactose, fructose, dextrose, and dextrose monohydrate. Suitable sugar alcohols include but are not limited to erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, and maltitol. In one embodiment, the substrate comprises the pharmaceutically active agent. In one embodiment, the substrate is coated with first coating prior to the addition of the lossy coating. In another embodiment, the substrate is a combination of pharmaceutical active ingredient and non-active ingredient materials. In this embodiment, the lossy coated particles may comprise a ratio of about 10:90 to about 90:10 pharmaceutical active ingredient to non-active ingredient materials, e.g. a ratio of about 20:80 to about 80:20 of pharmaceutical active ingredient to non-active ingredient materials.

In one embodiment, the average particle size of the lossy coated particle is from about 50 to about 500 microns, such as from about 50 to about 400 microns, such as from about 50 to about 300 microns.

The lossy coated particle is at least partially coated with the coating. What is meant by at least partially coated is that at least 25% of the total surface area is covered with the coating, such as at least 50%, such as at least 75%, such as 100%. In one embodiment, the amount of activator(s) in the lossy coated particles is at least about 0.25%, by weight, of the lossy coated particles, such as at least about 0.4%, by weight. In one embodiment, the amount of activator(s) in the lossy coated particles is from about 0.1% to about 20%, by weight, of the lossy coated particles, such as from about 0.1% to about 10%, by weight, of the lossy coated particles, such as from about 0.1% to about 2%, by weight, of the lossy coated particles.

In one embodiment, the lossy coated particle contains water. In this embodiment, the lossy coated particle comprises at least 0.1 percent, by weight, water, such as at least 0.3 percent, by weight, water, such as at least 0.5 percent, by weight, water when measured using loss on drying at 105° C. until the weight of the lossy coated particles has stabilized. In one embodiment, the lossy coated particle retains water when measured by loss on drying prior to sintering, such as moisture content of at least 0.1 percent by weight, such as from about 0.1 to about 3 percent, such as from about 0.5 to about 2 percent, by weight.

In one embodiment the coating comprises one or more activators in addition to Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate. In one embodiment, the coating comprises an additional activator that is a cellulosic polymer. Suitable cellulosic polymers include but are not limited to, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hypromellose, and mixtures thereof. Other suitable activators include polysaccharides and proteins such as starches, modified starches, gelling starches, and hydrocolloids; including but not limited to guar gum, carrageenan, maltodextrin, inulin, and, polyvinyl pyrrolidone. Still other suitable activators include acrylic polymers such as but not limited to: methacrylates such as polymethylmethacrylates; polyvinyls such as polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyvinyl caprolactams, and polyvinyl acetates; and copolymers thereof such as copolymers of ethyl acrylate and methyl methacrylates, and polycaprolactones. In one embodiment, the weight average molecular weight of the activator is less than 360,000 daltons, such as less than 180,000 daltons.

In one embodiment, the coating comprises a plasticizer. Suitable plasticizers for include, but not be limited to: polyethylene glycol; propylene glycol; glycerin; sorbitol; triethyl citrate; tributyl citrate; dibutyl sebecate; vegetable oils such as castor oil, rape oil, olive oil, and sesame oil; surfactants such as polysorbates, sodium lauryl sulfates, and dioctyl-sodium sulfosuccinates; mono acetate of glycerol; diacetate of glycerol; triacetate of glycerol; natural gums; triacetin; acetyltributyl citrate; diethyloxalate; diethylmalate; diethyl fumarate; diethylmalonate; dioctylphthalate; dibutylsuccinate; glyceroltributyrate; hydrogenated castor oil; fatty acids; substituted triglycerides and glycerides. In one embodiment, the coated particle comprises from about 0.1 to about 3 percent, by weight, of plasticizer(s).

In one embodiment, the coating comprises an ionic conductor, such as a salt. Examples of salts include, but are not limited to, metal salts such as sodium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium salts, such as sodium chloride and sodium citrate. In one embodiment, the coated particle comprises from about 0.1 to about 3 percent, by weight, of ion conductors(s).

Q Value

The property of permittivity is the measure of the resistance to forming an electric field. For purposes of comparing materials in air, it is often convenient to describe the permittivity of material in air where the permittivity is more specifically called “relative permittivity” or €_(r). This is a complex number represented by the following equation:

€_(r) =e′−je″

where e′ (the real portion of the complex number) is the dielectric constant (energy storage) and e″ (the imaginary portion of the complex number) is the dielectric loss or dissipation factor (energy dissipated as heat). The ratio of dielectric loss (e″) over the dielectric constant (e′) is called the loss tangent (tan δ) or power factor. Since loss tangent values for materials used in foods/pharmaceuticals are very low at 27 MHz, it is convenient to use the reciprocal of loss tangent or “Q value” hence,

Q value=e′/e″

For purposes of this invention, the Q value is calculated for the frequency that the material is to be processed (e.g., 27 MHz). The Q value is affected by physical and chemical properties such as density (porosity/particle size), moisture (conductivity), temperature, and molecular polarizability. The measurements obtained by this method can eliminate the need to measure and evaluate these properties independently.

As the Q value becomes smaller, a material will heat more readily when an external electromagnetic field is applied.

For purposes of describing the components of the invention, a material which has a high Q value (e.g., which responds less to the external field) is referred to as a “passivator.” Passivators can serve to insulate or impede energy flow. Conversely, lower Q values (e.g., having higher flux) are termed “activators,” as energy is allowed to flow through more easily and do more work. For purposes of describing the present invention, passivators have Q values greater than about 100 (such as greater than 200 or greater than 300), while activators have Q values less than 75 (such as less than 50).

Permittivity values (Q, e′, e″) were measured using an Agilent Impedance Analyzer at 27Mhz using a capacitance method wherein a fixture with a bottom fixed plate and top adjustable plate with a torque limiter which lightly compresses a cylindrical sample container to remove any air. During testing, the container is over filled with material and then carefully leveled off to avoid void spaces. A lid is placed on top to temporarily seal material within the container. Once a measurement is made, custom software calculates the difference between the sample and the configuration empty.

TABLE 1A Analysis of Dielectric Properties of Hydrogenated Starch Hydrosylate (HSH) Composition of HSH* Loss Q Polymerized Material Function e′ e″ Tangent Value Sorbitol Maltitol Maltose saccharides Hydrogenated activator 2.122 0.153 0.0625 16 3.4 6.4 6.9 74.3 Starch 2.196 0.163 0.0769 13 Hydrolysate (Ingredion, SD30) Hydrogenated activator 1.936 0.123 0.0635 16 1.7 2.8 4.1 87.2 Starch Hydrolysate (Ingredion, SD60) Hydrogenated activator 2.250 0.180 0.0800 12 0.9 3.9 6.2 82.0 Starch 2.221 0.175 0.0788 13 1.0 3.7 5.8 80.8 Hydrolysate, USP Maltitol, NF passivator 1.703 0.006 0.0035 284 n/a (SweetPearl P300DC) Mannitol NF passivator 1.410 0.004 0.0028 353 (Pearlitol 200SD) Sorbitol Powder, activator 1.960 0.0701 0.0358 27 NF 2.097 0.0969 0.0462 21 1.803 0.0650 0.0361 27 *Percentage composition of HSH components.

TABLE 1B Loss Q Material Function e′ e″ Tangent Value Hydroxyethyl cellulose activator 2.0937 0.1574 0.0752 13 (Natrosol L250), LOD = 4.1% Hydroxypropyl cellulose activator 1.7225 0.0972 0.0564 18 (Klucel EF), LOD = 2.3% Hydroxypropyl cellulose activator 1.6404 0.0769 0.0469 21 (Klucel ELF), LOD = 1.6% Hydroxypropyl cellulose activator 1.5964 0.0723 0.0453 22 (Klucel LF), LOD = 1.8% Hydroxypropyl cellulose activator 1.6248 0.0739 0.0455 22 (Klucel JF), LOD = 1.8% Hydroxypropyl cellulose activator 1.4174 0.0520 0.0367 27 (SSL-SFP) Sucrose (Granular Table substrate 1.9314 0.0096 0.0050 201 Sugar) Acetaminophen Coated substrate 1.8625 0.0050 0.0027 373 with Ethylcellulose* Maltitol (SweetPearl substrate 1.6214 0.0035 0.0022 463 DC300) *Note - taste-masked particle has coating but the coating does not have an activator (i.e., the Q value of ethylcellulose was measured to be 98).

In one embodiment, e′ of the lossy coated particle (prior to blending) is at least 1.4, such as at least 1.6, such as 1.7 when measured at 27 MHz. In one embodiment, e″ of the lossy coated particle (prior to blending) is at least 0.009, such as at least 0.015, such as at least 0.0300 when measured at 27 MHz.

Another method to measure Q value is by using an Agilent 4294A impedance analyzer using specially designed dielectric sample holder. The powder is filled in an empty puck by lightly and evenly pouring in the powder. The excess powder is leveled off to get a flat and even top surface. The first measurement is made by using a thin lid (1 mm) on the powder/puck. In subsequent measurements, the lid is removed and replaced with the next thicker lid. With each lid change, the thickness of the lid increases by 1 mm and the powder is further compressed. When the powder is fully compressed and the lid will not sit flush on the puck, the test is ended. The fully compressed powder along with the puck (without cap) is then weighed. The powder is then removed from the puck and the puck is thoroughly cleaned, to avoid cross contamination, and re-weighed empty to obtain a base weight before and after each different powder test. This allows the tests to be conducted at different powder density, and the tests can be performed at different temperatures, humidity and separate days. This process is referred to as the “Parallel Plate Method.” The Q value for various materials is recited below in Table 2

TABLE 2 Loss Q Material Function e′ e″ Tangent Value Polyvinyl Alcohol¹ activator 2.4277 0.1399 0.0576 17 Polyvinylalcohol- activator 1.9337 0.1116 0.0577 17 Polyethylene Glycol Graft Co-Polymer (Kollicoat IR)² Copolymer of ethyl activator 1.7496 0.0405 0.0231 43 acrylate, methyl methacrylate (Eudragit RL30D)³ Povidone activator 1.7144 0.0239 0.0139 72 (Plasdone ® K12)⁴ ¹Available as Emprove ® from EMD Millipore Corporation ²Available as Kollicoat IR ® from the BASF Corporation ³Available as Eudragit ® RL30D from the Evonik Corporation ⁴Available as Plasdone ® K12 from the Ashland Corporation

It has been discovered that coating a substrate comprising one or more passivators with a coating comprising one or more activators resulted in particles were surprising effective in a sintering process of forming very resilient dosage forms with fast disintegration. While not wanting to be bound by this theory, the synergy created by pre-bonding the activator(s) to the passivator (substrate) allows greater efficiency of bonding during sintering beyond simply additive effects.

The substrate has a Q value of greater than 100, such as greater than 150, such as greater than 200, such as greater than 400. The activator has a Q value of less than 75, such as less than 50, such as less than 30. In one embodiment, the lossy coated particle has a Q value of greater than 50, such as greater than 150, such as greater than 200. In one embodiment, the powder blend has a Q value of greater than 50, such as greater than 150, such as greater than 200.

Pharmaceutically Active Agent

The powder blend/tablet of the present invention includes at least one pharmaceutically active agent containing particles. What is meant by a “pharmaceutically active agent” is an agent (e.g., a compound) that is permitted or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, or any successor entity thereof, for the oral treatment of a condition or disease. Suitable pharmaceutically active agents include, but are not limited to, analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, antipyretics, antihistamines, antibiotics (e.g., antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agents), antidepressants, antidiabetic agents, antispasmodics, appetite suppressants, bronchodilators, cardiovascular treating agents (e.g., statins), central nervous system treating agents, cough suppressants, decongestants, diuretics, expectorants, gastrointestinal treating agents, anesthetics, mucolytics, muscle relaxants, osteoporosis treating agents, stimulants, nicotine, and sedatives.

Examples of suitable gastrointestinal treating agents include, but are not limited to: antacids such as aluminum-containing pharmaceutically active agents (e.g., aluminum carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate, and aluminum phosphate), bicarbonate-containing pharmaceutically active agents, bismuth-containing pharmaceutically active agents (e.g., bismuth aluminate, bismuth carbonate, bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth subgallate, and bismuth subnitrate), calcium-containing pharmaceutically active agents (e.g., calcium carbonate), glycine, magnesium-containing pharmaceutically active agents (e.g., magaldrate, magnesium aluminosilicates, magnesium carbonate, magnesium glycinate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, and magnesium trisilicate), phosphate-containing pharmaceutically active agents (e.g., aluminum phosphate and calcium phosphate), potassium-containing pharmaceutically active agents (e.g., potassium bicarbonate), sodium-containing pharmaceutically active agents (e.g., sodium bicarbonate), and silicates; laxatives such as stool softeners (e.g., docusate) and stimulant laxatives (e.g., bisacodyl); H2 receptor antagonists, such as famotidine, ranitidine, cimetadine, and nizatidine; proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole, dextansoprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, and lansoprazole; gastrointestinal cytoprotectives, such as sucraflate and misoprostol; gastrointestinal prokinetics such as prucalopride; antibiotics for H. pylori, such as clarithromycin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, and metronidazole; antidiarrheals, such as bismuth sub salicylate, kaolin, diphenoxylate, and loperamide; glycopyrrolate; analgesics, such as mesalamine; antiemetics such as ondansetron, cyclizine, diphenyhydroamine, dimenhydrinate, meclizine, promethazine, and hydroxyzine; probiotic bacteria including but not limited to lactobacilli; lactase; racecadotril; and antiflatulents such as polydimethylsiloxanes (e.g., dimethicone and simethicone, including those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,906,478, 5,275,822, and 6,103,260); isomers thereof; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs (e.g., esters) thereof.

Examples of suitable analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and antipyretics include, but are not limited to, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as propionic acid derivatives (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, flurbiprofen, fenbufen, fenoprofen, indoprofen, ketoprofen, fluprofen, pirprofen, carprofen, oxaprozin, pranoprofen, and suprofen) and COX inhibitors such as celecoxib; acetaminophen; acetyl salicylic acid; acetic acid derivatives such as indomethacin, diclofenac, sulindac, and tolmetin; fenamic acid derivatives such as mefanamic acid, meclofenamic acid, and flufenamic acid; biphenylcarbodylic acid derivatives such as diflunisal and flufenisal; and oxicams such as piroxicam, sudoxicam, isoxicam, and meloxicam; isomers thereof; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.

Examples of antihistamines and decongestants, include, but are not limited to, bromopheniramine, chlorcyclizine, dexbrompheniramine, bromhexane, phenindamine, pheniramine, pyrilamine, thonzylamine, pripolidine, ephedrine, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, chlorpheniramine, dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, astemizole, terfenadine, fexofenadine, naphazoline, oxymetazoline, montelukast, propylhexadrine, triprolidine, clemastine, acrivastine, promethazine, oxomemazine, mequitazine, buclizine, bromhexine, ketotifen, terfenadine, ebastine, oxatamide, xylomeazoline, loratadine, desloratadine, and cetirizine; isomers thereof; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof.

Examples of cough suppressants and expectorants include, but are not limited to, diphenhydramine, dextromethorphan, noscapine, clophedianol, menthol, benzonatate, ethylmorphone, codeine, acetylcysteine, carbocisteine, ambroxol, belladona alkaloids, sobrenol, guaiacol, and guaifenesin; isomers thereof; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.

Examples of muscle relaxants include, but are not limited to, cyclobenzaprine and chlorzoxazone metaxalone, orphenadrine, and methocarbamol; isomers thereof; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.

Examples of stimulants include, but are not limited to, caffeine.

Examples of sedatives include, but are not limited to sleep aids such as antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), eszopiclone, and zolpidem, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.

Examples of appetite suppressants include, but are not limited to, phenylpropanolamine, phentermine, and diethylcathinone, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.

Examples of anesthetics (e.g., for the treatment of sore throat) include, but are not limited to dyclonine, benzocaine, and pectin and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.

Examples of suitable statins include but are not limited to atorvastin, rosuvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, simvustatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutically active agent included within the tablet is selected from phenylephrine, dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, acetaminophen, cetirizine, aspirin, nicotine, ranitidine, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, loperamide, famotidine, calcium carbonate, simethicone, chlorpheniramine, methocarbomal, chlophedianol, ascorbic acid, pectin, dyclonine, benzocaine and menthol, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.

As discussed above, the pharmaceutically active agents of the present invention may also be present in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts, such as acidic/anionic or basic/cationic salts. Pharmaceutically acceptable acidic/anionic salts include, and are not limited to acetate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bicarbonate, bitartrate, bromide, calcium edetate, camsylate, carbonate, chloride, citrate, dihydrochloride, edetate, edisylate, estolate, esylate, fumarate, glyceptate, gluconate, glutamate, glycollylarsanilate, hexylresorcinate, hydrabamine, hydrobromide, hydrochloride, hydroxynaphthoate, iodide, isethionate, lactate, lactobionate, malate, maleate, mandelate, mesylate, methylbromide, methylnitrate, methylsulfate, mucate, napsylate, nitrate, pamoate, pantothenate, phosphate/diphospate, polygalacturonate, salicylate, stearate, subacetate, succinate, sulfate, tannate, tartrate, teoclate, tosylate and triethiodide. Pharmaceutically acceptable basic/cationic salts include, and are not limited to aluminum, benzathine, calcium, chloroprocaine, choline, diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, lithium, magnesium, meglumine, potassium, procaine, sodium and zinc.

As discussed above, the pharmaceutically active agents of the present invention may also be present in the form of prodrugs of the pharmaceutically active agents. In general, such prodrugs will be functional derivatives of the pharmaceutically active agent, which are readily convertible in vivo into the required pharmaceutically active agent. Conventional procedures for the selection and preparation of suitable prodrug derivatives are described, for example, in “Design of Prodrugs”, ed. H. Bundgaard, Elsevier, 1985. In addition to salts, the invention provides the esters, amides, and other protected or derivatized forms of the described compounds.

Where the pharmaceutically active agents according to this invention have at least one chiral center, they may accordingly exist as enantiomers. Where the pharmaceutically active agents possess two or more chiral centers, they may additionally exist as diastereomers. It is to be understood that all such isomers and mixtures thereof are encompassed within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, some of the crystalline forms for the pharmaceutically active agents may exist as polymorphs and as such are intended to be included in the present invention. In addition, some of the pharmaceutically active agents may form solvates with water (e.g., hydrates) or common organic solvents, and such solvates are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of this invention.

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutically active agent or agents are present in the tablet in a therapeutically effective amount, which is an amount that produces the desired therapeutic response upon oral administration and can be readily determined by one skilled in the art. In determining such amounts, the particular pharmaceutically active agent being administered, the bioavailability characteristics of the pharmaceutically active agent, the dose regime, the age and weight of the patient, and other factors must be considered, as known in the art.

The pharmaceutically active agent may be present in various forms. For example, the pharmaceutically active agent may be dispersed at the molecular level, e.g. melted, within the tablet, or may be in the form of particles, which in turn may be coated or uncoated. If the pharmaceutically active agent is in form of particles, the particles (whether coated or uncoated) typically have an average particle size of from about 1 to about 500 microns. In one embodiment, such particles are crystals having an average particle size of from about 1 to about 300 microns.

The pharmaceutically active agent may be present in pure crystal form or in a granulated form prior to the addition of the taste masking coating. Granulation techniques may be used to improve the flow characteristics or particle size of the pharmaceutically active agents to make it more suitable for subsequent coating. Suitable binders for making the granulation include but are not limited to starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polymethacrylates, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, and hydroxypropylcellulose. The particles including pharmaceutically active agent(s) may be made by cogranulating the pharmaceutically active agent(s) with suitable substrate particles via any of the granulation methods known in the art. Examples of such granulation method include, but are not limited to, high sheer wet granulation and fluid bed granulation such as rotary fluid bed granulation.

If the pharmaceutically active agent has an objectionable taste, the pharmaceutically active agent may be coated with a taste masking coating, as known in the art. Examples of suitable taste masking coatings are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,226, U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,114, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,436. Commercially available taste masked pharmaceutically active agents may also be employed. For example, acetaminophen particles, which are encapsulated with ethylcellulose or other polymers by a coacervation process, may be used in the present invention. Coacervation-encapsulated acetaminophen may be purchased commercially from Eurand America, Inc. (Vandalia, Ohio).

In one embodiment, the tablet incorporates modified release coated particles (e.g., particles containing at least one pharmaceutically active agent that convey modified release properties of such agent). As used herein, “modified release” shall apply to the altered release or dissolution of the active agent in a dissolution medium, such as gastrointestinal fluids. Types of modified release include, but are not limited to, sustained release or delayed release. In general, modified release tablets are formulated to make the active agents(s) available over an extended period of time after ingestion, which thereby allows for a reduction in dosing frequency compared to the dosing of the same active agent(s) in a conventional tablet. Modified release tablets also permit the use of active agent combinations wherein the duration of one pharmaceutically active agent may differ from the duration of another pharmaceutically active agent. In one embodiment the tablet contains one pharmaceutically active agent that is released in an immediate release manner and an additional active agent or a second portion of the same active agent as the first that is modified release.

Examples of swellable, erodible hydrophilic materials for use as a release modifying excipient for use in the modified release coating include water swellable cellulose derivatives, polyalkylene glycols, thermoplastic polyalkylene oxides, acrylic polymers, hydrocolloids, clays, and gelling starches. Examples of water swellable cellulose derivatives include sodium carboxymethylcellulose, cross-linked hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxyisopropylcellulose, hydroxybutylcellulose, hydroxyphenylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxypentylcellulose, hydroxypropylethylcellulose, hydroxypropylbutylcellulose, and hydroxypropylethylcellulose. Examples of polyalkylene glycols include polyethylene glycol. Examples of suitable thermoplastic polyalkylene oxides include poly (ethylene oxide). Examples of acrylic polymers include potassium methacrylatedivinylbenzene copolymer, polymethylmethacrylate, and high-molecular weight cross-linked acrylic acid homopolymers and copolymers.

Suitable pH-dependent polymers for use as release-modifying excipients for use in the modified release coating include: enteric cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, and cellulose acetate phthalate; natural resins such as shellac and zein; enteric acetate derivatives such as polyvinylacetate phthalate, cellulose acetate phthalate, and acetaldehyde dimethylcellulose acetate; and enteric acrylate derivatives such as for example polymethacrylate-based polymers such as poly(methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate) 1:2 (available from Rohm Pharma GmbH under the tradename EUDRAGIT S) and poly(methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate) 1:1 (available from Rohm Pharma GmbH under the tradename EUDRAGIT L).

In one embodiment the pharmaceutically active agent is coated with a combination of a water insoluble film forming polymer (such as but not limited to cellulose acetate or ethylcellulose) and a water soluble polymer (such as but not limited to povidone, polymethacrylic co-polymers such as those sold under the tradename Eudragit E-100 from Rohm America, and hydroxypropylcellulose). In this embodiment, the ratio of water insoluble film forming polymer to water soluble polymer is from about 50 to about 95 percent of water insoluble polymer and from about 5 to about 50 percent of water soluble polymer, and the weight percent of the coating by weight of the coated taste-masked particle is from about 5 percent to about 40 percent.

In one embodiment, one or more pharmaceutically active agents or a portion of the pharmaceutically active agent may be bound to an ion exchange resin for the purposes of taste-masking the pharmaceutically active agent or delivering the active in a modified release manner.

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutically active agent is capable of dissolution upon contact with a fluid such as water, stomach acid, intestinal fluid or the like. In one embodiment, the dissolution of the tablet containing the pharmaceutically active agent meets USP specifications for immediate release. For example, for acetaminophen tablets, USP 24 specifies that in pH 5.8 phosphate buffer, using USP apparatus 2 (paddles) at 50 rpm, at least 80% of the acetaminophen contained in the tablet is released there from within 30 minutes after dosing, and for ibuprofen tablets, USP 24 specifies that in pH 7.2 phosphate buffer, using USP apparatus 2 (paddles) at 50 rpm, at least 80% of the ibuprofen contained in the tablet is released there from within 60 minutes after dosing. See USP 24, 2000 Version, 19-20 and 856 (1999). In another embodiment, the dissolution characteristics of the pharmaceutically active agent are modified: e.g. controlled, sustained, extended, retarded, prolonged, delayed and the like.

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutically active agent(s) are comprised within polymer-coated particles (e.g., taste-masked and/or sustained release coated particles). In one embodiment, the active ingredient is first coated with a taste-masking coating and subsequently coated with a second layer of a dielectric coating. In one embodiment the pharmaceutically active agent(s) is included within the substrate and/or the coating layer of the lossy coated particle.

In one embodiment, the powder blend/tablet comprises from about 10% to about 40%, by weight of the pharmaceutically active agents(s), such as 15% to about 35%, by weight of the tablet/powder blend, such as 20% to about 30%, by weight of the tablet/powder blend.

As discussed above, in one embodiment, the pharmaceutically active agent is or is comprised within the substrate of the lossy coated particles. In one embodiment, the amount of such coated particles comprising pharmaceutically active agents(s) may be present at level from about 10% to about 95%, by weight of the tablet/powder blend, such as 15% to about 70%, by weight of the tablet/powder blend, such as 20% to about 50%, by weight of the tablet/powder blend.

In one embodiment, the pharmaceutically active agent(s) are comprised within lossy coated particles. In one embodiment, the active ingredient is first coated with a taste-masking coating in absence of an activator and subsequently coated with a second layer containing an activator. In one embodiment the active ingredient is added to the outer coating layer containing an activator.

Forming the Tablet Shape

In one embodiment, to obtain desired attribute of an orally disintegrating tablet, the tablet's construction may be highly porous and/or have a low density (e.g., to allow the tablet to collapse in the oral cavity). In a preferred embodiment, a minimum or no tamping is desired to achieve the orally disintegrating property.

In one embodiment, the tamping step (which occurs prior to the addition of the radiofrequency energy) applies a force to the cavities holding the material to remove air from within the void space between particles and allows material to form into a shape. In one embodiment, the force is less than about 450 pounds per square inch (e.g., less than about 300 pounds per square inch, such as less than 200 pounds per square inch, such as less than 50 pounds per square inch) which comes to rest on a frame (or mechanical “stop”) preventing further deformation of material and without the RF energy no tablet is formed. In one embodiment, the energy is applied while the powder blend is under such force without the use of a mechanical stop.

In one embodiment, the tamping step occurs in an indexed manner, where one set of tablets are processed simultaneously, before rotating to another indexing station. In one embodiment, the tamping step occurs at a single indexing station and the application of energy occurs at a separate indexing station. In another embodiment, a third indexing station is present wherein the ejection of the tablet or multiple tablets occurs, wherein the lower forming tool is raised up through and up to the surface of the die. In another embodiment the tamping step is performed through the addition of air pressure or hydraulic cylinder to the top of the upper forming tools. In one embodiment multiple tablets are ejected simultaneously and separated from the surface of the indexing station and removed via a take-off bar.

In another embodiment, the tablet shape may be prepared by methods and apparatus described in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0156902. Specifically, the tablet shape may be made using a rotary compression module including a fill zone, insertion zone, compression zone, ejection zone, and purge zone in a single apparatus having a double row die construction. The dies of the compression module may then be filled using the assistance of a vacuum, with filters located in or near each die. The purge zone of the compression module includes an optional powder blend recovery system to recover excess powder blend from the filters and return the powder blend to the dies.

In one embodiment, the tablet shape is prepared by the methods and apparatus described in issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,200. Specifically, the tablet shape is made using a rotary compression module including a fill zone, compression zone, and ejection zone in a single apparatus having a double row die construction as shown in FIG. 6 therein. The dies of the compression module are preferably filled using the assistance of a vacuum, with filters located in or near each die.

The tablet shape may have one of a variety of different shapes. For example, the tablet shape may be shaped as a polyhedron, such as a cube, pyramid, prism, or the like; or may have the geometry of a space figure with some non-flat faces, such as a cone, truncated cone, triangle, cylinder, sphere, torus, or the like. In certain embodiments, a tablet shape has one or more major faces. For example, the tablet shape surface typically has opposing upper and lower faces formed by contact with the upper and lower forming tool faces (e.g., die punches). In such embodiments, the tablet shape surface typically further includes a “belly-band” located between the upper and lower faces, and formed by contact with the die walls. A tablet shape/tablet may also be a multilayer. Applicants have found that sharp edges in the tooling used to make the tablets can cause arcing, and thus more rounded edges may be needed.

In one embodiment a vibratory step is utilized (e.g., added after filling of the powder blend but prior to the heating or fusing step, in order to remove air from the powder blend). In one embodiment a vibration with the frequency from about 1 Hz to about 50 KHz is added with amplitude from 1 micron to 5 mm peak-to-peak to allow for the flowable powder blend to settle into the cavity of a the die platen (“forming cavity”).

Radiofrequency Energy Application to Powder Blend

The process includes the step of applying radiofrequency energy to a powder blend for a sufficient period of time to form such tablet. While not wanting to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that the pre-bonding of the activator on the surface of a passivator (the substrate) may provide a more direct path for the energy to travel due to higher conductivity at the surface. Such heating may be dielectric heating (e.g., using a lossy polymer containing vinyl, esters, amides, and/or urethane functional groups) or ionic heating. For ionic heating, as the field flows through the blend over the surface of the lossy coated particles, trapped moisture in the powder blend can provide a source of storing energy (e.g., at 27 MHz, pure water has high dielectric constant) for the lossy coating. The higher loss polymer/activator can efficiently use the energy stored from the moisture to soften and flow the polymeric chains to form physical bonds through polymeric chain entanglement. The synergy provided by the configuration of the lossy coated particle can even provide enough bond strength to allow materials which do not provide a conductive path (or contain a lossy material) to be mixed into the lossy coated particle, where the invention serves as a filler.

Radiofrequency heating generally refers to heating with electromagnetic field at frequencies from about 1 MHz to about 100 MHz. In one embodiment of the present invention, the RF-energy is within the range of frequencies from about 1MHz to about 100MHz (e.g., from about 5MHz to 50MHz, such as from about 10MHz to about 30MHz). In one embodiment, the RF-energy is used to heat the first material. RF energy generators are well known in the art. Examples of suitable RF generators include, but are not limited to, free running oscillators such as the COSMOS Model C10X16G4 (Cosmos Electronic Machine Corporation, Farmingdale, N.Y.) or a 50 Ohm RF generator. In one embodiment the RF energy is combined with a second source of heat including but not limited to infrared, induction, or convection heating.

In the embodiment, the electrodes are incorporated into a chamber holding the powder blend (e.g., a cylinder, walled-sheet, or other chamber). In one embodiment, the chamber is constructed of a conductive metal. In one embodiment, the chamber has portions which are constructed of non-conductive, insulative material. In one embodiment, the chamber has an insert which is non-conductive where the body of the chamber is conductive. In one embodiment, the insert comprises a surface area which is less than that of the chamber. The conductive material may be comprised of any material which is conductive, including but not limited to aluminum, copper, iron, zinc, nickel and mixtures and alloys thereof. The non-conductive material may be comprised of a non-conductive solid material including but not limited to ceramics, polystyrene and polytetrafluoroethylene. In one embodiment, the chamber has at least one electrode embedded into the walls of the cylinder or walled sheet. The electrode may be surrounded by non-conductive material wherein the electrode is the only conductive wall portion exposed to the power blend. In one embodiment, the powder blend is tamped prior to the addition of RF-energy.

In one embodiment, one chamber contains the powder blend and it is placed into a separate chamber (e.g., an oven) for the addition of energy. In another embodiment, the chamber containing the powder blend has additional heating elements incorporated into the chamber.

After the application of energy, the powder blend may optionally be cooled (e.g., actively cooled or allowed to cool) prior to forming a predetermined amount of the energy-applied powder blend into the tablet.

Examples of apparatuses useful for such application of energy are set forth in US Patent Application Nos. 2011/0068511 and 2013/0295211.

Multi-Layer Tablet

In certain embodiments, the tablet includes at least two layers, e.g., with different types and/or concentrations of the first or second material and/or other ingredients or different concentrations of pharmaceutically active agents. In one embodiment, the tablet includes two layers, one layer having orally disintegrating properties and another layer being chewable or swallowable. In one embodiment one layer is tamped at higher compaction force versus the other layer. In one embodiment, both layers have different amount of pharmaceutically active agents and/or other excipients. In one embodiment, all properties of the two layers are identical but the colors of the two layers are different. In one embodiment, not all of the layers comprise the coated particle (e.g., only one of the two layers). In one embodiment, two layers of the dosage form comprise the coated particle, but the compositions of the coated particle (e.g., the materials and/or the relative amounts of the materials comprising the coated particles) are different.

Effervescent Couple

In one embodiment, the powder blend/tablet further contains one or more effervescent couples. In one embodiment, effervescent couple contains one member from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and sodium carbonate, and one member selected from the group consisting of citric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid, and alginic acid.

In one embodiment, the combined amount of the effervescent couple(s) in the powder blend/tablet is from about 2 to about 20 percent by weight, such as from about 2 to about 10 percent by weight of the total weight of the powder blend/tablet.

Oral Disintegrating Time, Hardness, Friability, and Density of Tablet

Applicants have discovered that Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate can be used in accord with the present invention to make tablets having a surprising combination of properties. In particular, applicants have discovered that the present invention allows for tablets that have a relatively high hardness, e.g. about 1 kiloponds (kp) or greater, e.g. about 2.2 kp or greater, e.g. about 3.0 kp or greater, e.g. about 4.0 kp or greater while still having an oral disintegration time of less than 60 seconds. In certain embodiments, the tablets of the present invention have a hardness of at least 1 kiloponds (kp) and an oral disintegration time of 15 seconds or less, e.g. about 10 seconds or less. In one embodiment, the tablet is designed to disintegrate in the mouth when placed on the tongue in less than about 60 seconds, e.g. less than about 45 seconds, e.g. less than about 30 seconds, e.g. less than about 15 seconds.

In one embodiment, the tablet meets the criteria for Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODTs) as defined by the draft Food and Drug Administration guidance, as published in April, 2007. In one embodiment, the tablet meets a two-fold definition for orally disintegrating tablets including the following criteria: 1) that the solid tablet is one which contains medicinal substances and which disintegrates rapidly, usually within a matter of seconds, when placed upon the tongue and 2) be considered a solid oral preparation that disintegrates rapidly in the oral cavity, with an in vitro disintegration time of approximately 30 seconds or less, when based on the United States Pharmacopeia (USP 24 NF 29) disintegration test method for the specific medicinal substance or substances.

Hardness, thickness and weight measurements were obtained using a Pharmatron ST50 using a low force load cell and high sensitivity options for hardness.

In one embodiment, the density of the tablet is at least about 0.6 g/cc. In one embodiment, the density of the tablet is less than about 1.5 g/cc. In one embodiment, the bulk density of the lossy coated particles is from about 0.5 g/cc to about 1 g/cc.

In one embodiment, the tablets have a friability of less than 10 percent, such as less than 5 percent, such as less than 3 percent. As used herein, “friability” is measured using the USP 24 NF 29 Tablet Friability (Section 1216) with the modification of using 3 tablets for 15 rotations or 3 tablets for 100 revolutions (unless otherwise noted) instead of 10 tablets for 100 rotations.

Tablets Coatings

In one embodiment, the tablet includes an additional outer coating (e.g., a translucent coating such as a clear coating) to impart additional properties to the dosage form. Suitable materials for such coatings include, but are not limited to, hypromellose, hydroxypropylcellulose, starch, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylalcohol and polyethylene glycol mixtures and copolymers, and mixtures thereof. Tablets of the present invention may include a coating from about 0.05 to about 10 percent, or about 0.1 to about 5 percent by weight of the total tablet.

Use of Tablet

The tablets may be used as swallowable, chewable, or orally disintegrating tablets to administer the pharmaceutically active agent.

In one embodiment, the present invention features a method of treating an ailment, the method including orally administering the above-described tablet wherein the tablet includes an amount of the pharmaceutically active agent effective to treat the ailment. Examples of such ailments include, but are not limited to, pain (such as headaches, migraines, sore throat, cramps, back aches and muscle aches), fever, inflammation, upper respiratory disorders (such as cough and congestion), infections (such as bacterial and viral infections), depression, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disorders (such as high cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure), gastrointestinal disorders (such as nausea, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome and gas), sleep disorders, osteoporosis, and nicotine dependence.

In one embodiment, the method is for the treatment of an upper respiratory disorder, wherein the pharmaceutically active agent is selected from the group of phenylephrine, cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine, diphenhydramine, dextromethorphan, chlorpheniramine, chlophedianol, and pseudoephedrine.

In this embodiment, the “unit dose” is typically accompanied by dosing directions, which instruct the patient to take an amount of the pharmaceutically active agent that may be a multiple of the unit dose depending on, e.g., the age or weight of the patient. Typically the unit dose volume will contain an amount of pharmaceutically active agent that is therapeutically effective for the smallest patient. For example, suitable unit dose volumes may include one tablet.

EXAMPLES

Specific embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of the following examples. This invention was not confined to the specific limitations set forth in these examples.

Example 1 Production of Lossy Coated particles with Acetaminophen Using Hydrogen Starch Hydrolysate (HSH)

Production of lossy coated particles A batch of 20 kg of coated particles containing acetaminophen particles (a passivator) and maltitol (a passivator) was prepared. The acetaminophen particles were previously coated with an ethyl cellulose taste-masking coating, commercially available as Acetaminophen Microcaps® from the Aptalis Corporation. These lossy coated particles were then used to produce the orally disintegrating tablets in Example 3 (shown in Table 4).

Lossy Coating Solution:

-   -   1. Purified Water USP was added to a suitably sized stainless         steel container.     -   2. 305 g of Hydrogen Starch Hydrolysate, as an activator, was         added with gentle agitation to make a concentration of 10%         solids in solution.

Coating of Substrate Particles with Hydrogen Starch Hydrolysate Coating Solution:

-   -   1. 7000 g of maltitol and 13000 g Acetaminophen Microcaps°         (commercially available from the Aptalis corporation) was added         to a Glatt GPCG15 fluid bed, top spray granulator and fluidized         to maintain appropriate bed/gun distance while controlling inlet         air temperature to 45° C.     -   2. The Coating Solution containing the activator was sprayed         onto the blend at an approximate average spray rate of 100-150         g/minute (adjusted to product temperature of 27-29 C) to make a         1.5% (w/w) lossy coated particle. The granules were then dried         to 34.5° C. with percent moisture as recorded in Table 2.

Example 2A, 2B (Comparative example with Acetaminophen and Maltitol): Production of Lossy Coated Particles Using Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC) as Activator

Lossy Coating Solution:

-   -   1. Purified Water USP added to a suitably sized stainless steel         container.     -   3. 2. 132 g of hydroxyethyl cellulose or HEC (commercially         available as Natrosol®), as an activator, was added with 132 g         sodium citrate (increase ionic strength) and 132 g glycerin (a         humectant/plasticizer) make a concentration of 2.5% HEC in         solution.

Coating of Substrate Particles with Hydroxyethyl cellulose Coating Solution:

-   -   1. 7000 g of maltitol and 13000 g of taste masked acetaminophen         (previously coated with ethyl cellulose—a passivator) was added         to a fluid bed, top spray granulator.     -   4. 2. The Lossy Coating Solution was sprayed onto the mixture of         substrates at an approximate average spray rate of 134 g/minute         to make a 1.5% (w/w) lossy coated particle to a target end of         spray percent moisture as noted in Table 2 as measured by loss         on drying.     -   5. 3. The granules were then dried to percent moisture as         recorded in Table 2.

Example 3 Production of Lossy Coated particles without Acetaminophen Using Hydrogen Starch Hydrolysate (HSH)

Production of lossy coated particles A batch of 25 kg of coated particles containing maltitol (a passivator) was prepared. These lossy coated particles were then used to produce the orally disintegrating tablets in Example 3 (shown in Table 2).

Lossy Coating Solution:

-   -   3. Purified Water USP was added to a suitably sized stainless         steel container.     -   4. 634 g of Hydrogen Starch Hydrolysate, as an activator, was         added with gentle agitation to make a concentration of 10%         solids in solution.

Coating of Substrate Particles with Hydrogen Starch Hydrolysate Coating Solution:

-   -   6. 25000 g of maltitol was added to a Glatt GPCG15 fluid bed,         top spray granulator and fluidized to maintain appropriate         bed/gun distance while controlling inlet air temperature to 60°         C.     -   7. The Coating Solution containing the activator was sprayed         onto the blend at an approximate average spray rate of 160         g/minute to make a 2.5% (w/w) lossy coated particle. The         granules were then dried to 34.5° C. with percent moisture as         recorded in Table 3.

Tablet Formulation Examples 1, 2A, 2B, 3: For each of the Examples and Comparative Examples herein, the lossy coated particles were filled into 12.5 mm round dies and sintered at a radio frequency of approximately 27 MHz for 1.0 seconds (“Sintering Time” of 1.0 seconds) to form an orally disintegrating tablet using a machine as disclosed in US Patent No. 2013/0295211. The electrode distance and variable capacitor was adjusted to remove air from void spaces while optimizing tuning to the tank circuit to provide adequate power transfer through material to form the tablet without causing arcing or flashing. Information regarding the resulting tablets are set forth in Tables 4-7.

TABLE 3 Example 2A Example 2B Material/Output Example 1 (Comparative) (Comparative) Example 3 Comment 1.5% HSH on Maltitol 1.0% HEC with 1.0% 2.5% HSH on and Taste Masked Glycerin & 1.0% Sodium citrate Maltitol (no Taste Acetaminophen on Maltitol Masked Acetaminophen) Substrate Maltitol and Coated Maltitol and Coated Maltitol Acetaminophen Acetaminophen Activator HSH¹ HEC HSH Activator 1.5 1.0 2.5 Concentration (% w/w) Average Molecular conforms to USP 80 conforms to USP Weight of Polymer (x1000 Daltons) Pharmaceutically APAP APAP none Active Agent Active Dose per 325 mg 325 mg n/a tablet % Moisture at End of 0.560 2.097 0.945 Spraying (LOD at 105 C.) % Moisture of Lossy 0.491 0.867 0.483 Coated Particles Before Sintering Water Activity 0.5332 0.4821 0.5832 e′ 1.744 1.817 1.70295 e″ 0.0151 0.0510 0.03186 Q value 115 35 53 Tablet Diameter 12.5 12.5 12.5 (mm) Tablet Weight (mg) 571 563 559 549 Tablet Thickness 5.21 5.04 4.50 4.94 (mm) Tablet Density (g/cc) 0.9 0.9 1.0 0.9 Tablet Hardness (kp) 1.38 0.21 2.21 4.94 Power (W) 1500 250 1000 1500 Sintering Time (sec) 1 1 1 1 Oral Disintegration 6 13 29 8 Time (sec) Friability % (15 1.0 0.2 0.2 0.5 drops) ¹HSH, USP (third listed HSH) from Table 1A 

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for making a tablet comprising the step of applying radiofrequency energy to a powder blend comprising lossy coated particles and at least one pharmaceutically active agent to sinter said powder blend into a tablet, said lossy coated particles comprising a substrate having a Q value of greater than 100 that is at least partially coated with a lossy coating comprising Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate.
 2. A process of claim 1, wherein said substrate has a Q value of greater than
 200. 3. (canceled)
 4. A process of claim 1, wherein said lossy coated particles have a Q value of greater than
 100. 5. A process of claim 1, wherein said powder blend has a Q value of greater than
 100. 6. A process of claim 1, wherein said powder blend comprises at least 20%, by weight, of said lossy coated particles.
 7. A process of claim 1, wherein said lossy coated particles comprise from about 0.1 to about 2%, by weight, of Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate.
 8. A process of claim 1, wherein said lossy coated particle comprises from about 0.1% to about 3%, by weight, water.
 9. A process of claim 1, wherein said tablet disintegrates in the mouth when placed on the tongue in less than about 30 seconds.
 10. A process of claim 1, wherein said tablet disintegrates in the mouth when placed on the tongue in less than about 15 seconds.
 11. The process of claim 1, wherein said radiofrequency energy has a frequency of from about 13 MHz to about 40 MHz.
 12. A process of claim 1, wherein said tablets are formed within a tablet die.
 13. A process of claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises a starch, a sugar alcohol, or a sugar.
 14. A process of claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises maltitol or mannitol.
 15. A process of claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises said pharmaceutically active agent.
 16. A process of claim 1, wherein the friability of the tablet is less than about 5%.
 17. A process of claim 1, wherein the hardness of the tablet is 1 kp or greater.
 18. A sintered tablet comprising sintered lossy coated particles and at least one pharmaceutically active agent, wherein said lossy coated particles comprise a substrate that is at least partially coated with a lossy coating comprising Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, wherein said substrate has a Q value of greater than 100, said tablet having a hardness of 1 kp or greater and wherein said tablet disintegrates in the mouth when placed on the tongue in less than about 15 seconds.
 19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled)
 21. The process of claim 17 wherein said tablet disintegrates in the mouth when placed on the tongue in less than about 15 seconds.
 22. The process of claim 1 wherein said powder blend comprises lossy coated particles separate from said at least one pharmaceutically active agent. 